, 1887-05-19

VI .he IuaAiuum capacity or the
works. 1t appears to me but Just
that revision OF the rules and regu-
latlons of this department be effected
to the end that greater revenue
may be obtained and more euuit-
able basis Of charges adopted. Under
the present scale of prices the small
est householder, whose use OF the
water is confined to household pur-
poses, Is compelled to pay as much
for the use Of the city water as the
! party who makes use OF 1t to irrigate
II large tract of land and for domestic
purposes as well. This is not only
unjust discrimination against per-
sons upon whom evena small water
tax falls quite heavily, but 1t results
In u reduced revenue. The low
state OF the water works fund is an
insuperable difficulty in the way of
extending the mains to extensive
and populous districts of the city
now justly complaining that their
| property Is taxed the four mills to
pay interest on the water bonds, and
Is liable for the whole amount of the
debt, and yet the benefits cf the
works are confined to compara-
lively limited portion of the city.
BY n revision of these rates, so that
they may be placed upon a basis of
charge in proportion to the quantity
OF water consumed an increased
revenue will be obtained and fund
created by which the mains may be
extended and the cause for this very
just complaint removed.
In this connection / desire also to
recur to the subject of the removal of
the pumping machinery of these
works from its present location.
There are many reasons making
this quite urgent, not the least
among which Is its extremely haz-
ardous position-owing to the very
infiammable nature of the building
in which 1t is contained-in case Of
fire. 1t cannot be denied that the
location of the works in this building
Is at present costing the property
holders many thousands of dollars
annually in the way of increased
rates of insurance and is placing the
whole city in Jeopardy In the event
Of fire at the mill simultaneously
with ii fire at some other point in the
city. My predecessor in his annual
message, one year ago, strongly
recommended q change upon these
grounds, but no definite action on
the matter was taken last year. l
commend this matter to your early
and careful attention.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The efficiency of this department
OF the city service has long been a
source of qualification, pride and Sc
curity to us all. This feeling of i'm.
munity from devastating fires, un-
known to other less favored COM
munities, has greatly encouraged
building enterprises and contributed
much toward the rapid upbuilding of
the city, besides affording insurance
in the most solvent companies in the
world. feel that our city owes
much to the two volunteer fire COM
panies, and that this obligation
should be recognized by affOrding
them liberal encouragement in
everything calculated to maintain
and improve the service. In this
connection would call your atten-
I tion to the urgent necessity of sup
plementing the present force by an
efficient hook and ladder company,
want now severely felt in dealing
with fires Of any magnitude. / am
! aware that you are now in cores
pOndence with the manufacturers of
hook and ladder trucks, and would
especially urge that your negotia-
tions be brought to successful issue
with as little delay as practica bic.
sEMI-PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The city is very fortunate in the
matter Of improvements of a semi.
public nature. The electric light
system and telephone exchange en-
joyed for nearly year past are equal
II not superior to the same service in
other cities of the coast much ex-
ceeding ours in population. The city
has heretofore granted franchises for
gas works and for street car line,
which 1 am assured are held in high
esteem by the owners, and the early
completion OF both of which is prom
ised. 1t should be- borne in mind
that these great privileges are af-
could reasonably have been antici-
pated, and that the projectors have
incurred much expense and some
risk In undertaking these enterpri-
ses at this stage Of our city's growth,
and in dealing with the corporations
or individuals having control of these
franchises, and with imperfections
in the service rendered, recon-
mend fOrbearance and u policy of en-
enlargement. 1t cannot be gainsaid
that these enterprises have contribut-
ed much to the pleasant impressions
entertained of our city by all visitors,
and not little to our good name
abroad as an enterprising, liberal
spirited people.
STREETS AND ALLEYS.
The crossings of the railroad in
actual use by the public have for a
long time been in u bad state OF re-
pair, and a very Objectionable and
dangerous practice has prevailed of
allowing freight trains to stand on
these crossings, thus obstructing the
free use OF the same by the travelling
endangering the safety of passers Ss
by. am pleased to. see that these